animal model

noun

: an animal sufficiently like humans in its anatomy, physiology, or response to a pathogen to be used in medical research in order to obtain results that can be extrapolated to human medicine

also : a pathological or physiological condition that occurs in such an animal and is similar to one occurring in humans

Examples of animal model in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

However, these claims are based on traditional medicine approaches or animal models and lack scientific evidence. —William Truswell, Verywell Health, 26 Dec. 2024

But, a deeper understanding of how the toxins work in the gut has been thwarted by a lack of good animal models that develop the same gastrointestinal symptoms as humans. —Ars Technica, 30 Oct. 2024

This avenue has thus far been tested in animal models, and against HSV-1 only. —Dr. Tal Patalon, Md, Llb, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024

In animal models, endometriosis, a secondary cause of dysmenorrhea, led to depression. —Kristen Rogers, CNN, 29 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1955, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

animal model

noun

: an animal sufficiently like humans in its anatomy, physiology, or response to a pathogen to be used in medical research in order to obtain results that can be extrapolated to human medicine

also : a pathological or physiological condition that occurs in such an animal and is similar (as in its pathology or physiology) to a human condition

experimental allergic encephalomyelitis is a useful animal model in the study of multiple sclerosis in humans